R.E.M. picks up the pace

By Dean Gordon-Smith - Vernon Morning Star - April 25, 2008

To partially quote Michael Stipe in the acerbic anthem Man-Sized Wreath, “Wow”! Athens (Ga., not Greece) super group R.E.M. probably had a lot riding on the release of Accelerate and judging by the pace and intensity of the music, they dug in and delivered.

Delivered what? Well, judging by the lukewarm response, low sales and general apathy surrounding their last several albums, the band appeared to be running low on fuel.

So, with this 11-song blast of biting rock and alterna/folk anthems, the original indie group climbs back into a state of relevance again. As well, there’s plenty of clever lyrical bile from Stipe to suggest that he’s got a bee in his bonnet again: “The future’s ours and you don’t even rate a footnote, I see my in and go for it, you weakened shill,” from the grindy-riffed opening buzz song Living Well is the Best Revenge.

The song blasts by at a snotty, high-speed pace, as do Man-Sized Wreath and Supernatural Serious, both of which capture the semi-pristine, angry elegance of past R.E.M. classics like Orange Crush.

Some of the fire-in-the-belly spirit on Accelerate could be due to the stripped-down approach and guitar-heavy attack of the band.

Peter Buck’s stately blend of power chording and melody is bolstered by a second guitarist (Scott McCaughey) and bassist Mike Mills’ steady-on groove. High-pitched background vocals are highlighted all over this recording, adding a keening contrast to Stipe’s sometimes growly delivery. These are especially effective and familiar on the epic choruses of Supernatural Superserious and Hollow Man.

The familiar urgency that the band (and fans) may have missed is back, even on the uneasy and dark folk-rock of Houston with its unsettling lyric, “If the storm doesn’t kill me, the government will.” This song shares questioning lyrics and psychedelic undertones with another folk/rock song, Until The Day is Done, and both tunes recall the buoyant brooding vibe of the lost R.E.M. gem, Electrolite.

There seems to be a sense of settling in to the sharp-edged grind of quick songs like Accelerate and the dreamy toned pace of Sing for the Submarine. Like the whole album, these songs are driven underneath by urgent, edgy chords and droning melodies.

The undefinable mood is kicked in to high gear and thrown to the winds in the celebratory tension of Horse to Water, a song that revels in its own brevity and snarl.

As does I’m Gonna DJ, and the whole album. The word is, R.E.M. is back and after hearing this, you can believe it — finally!

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R.E.M. picks up the pace

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